Top 100 Swedish prospects

By Johan Nilsson

February 2nd, 2004

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Toronto prospect AlexanderSteen is now ahead of Islanders prospect Robert Nilssonwho has been struggling terribly this season. Nilsson started off playing on Leksand’ssecond line in the elite league but was soon demoted to the third and then thefourth line. He is currently playing with Fribourg-Gótteron in the Swiss league butis expected to come back and play for a new SEL team next season.

Steen had an excellent start this season and averaged a point per game in hisfirst 20 games. After competing with the Swedish national team in Karjala Cup,an international tournament held in Finland, his production decreased and he hasin fact only scored a goal and an assist in his last 22 games with Frölunda.Steen had however a strong WJC tourney, despite only scoring 2 goals and an assist,and was Sweden’s best player in the tournament.Loui Eriksson is a very interesting player that has moved upto fourth place on the ranking. Eriksson was drafted in the second round lastsummer and has this season, as a rookie in the SEL, been very impressive. He hasplayed on the fourth line with sometimes limited ice time but still created alot of offense and proved that he is a player to keep an eye out for in the future.

Another Dallas prospect that has moved up quite a bit is the hardworking two-wayforward Yared Hagos at No. 15. He has been one of Timrå’sbest players in the SEL and also made his debut with the Swedish national team.Hagos is as tough as they come. He loves to use his body, is very strong defensivelyand is work ethic is very admirable.

A new player on the list is Misha Joukov who recently becamea Swedish citizen. Joukov has a huge upside but has been struggling somewhat thisseason. He was early sent down by his SEL team HV 71 and his production in thesecond tier league has dropped compared to last season.

The Top 100 ranking will from now on, instead of twice per season, be updatedon regular basis at www.eliteprospects.com.